Tag: wearable technology

Smartwatch ownership predicted to rise in Australia

| June 17, 2015

A new forecast from Roy Morgan Research says that Australians will soon buy more wearable technology.

Independent research firm, Roy Morgan Research, has released a prediction that has said that the claims of intention to buy a smartwatch by Australians currently reflects the types of figures that were generated about the intention to purchase smartphones back when those devices were in their infancy.

For that reason, the firm believes that Australia will soon start to see a notable growth in wearable technology.

The study included the participation of about 520,000 Australians and ran from January through April 2015. What was found was that 2.7 percent of the people who took part said that they felt that they would purchase a smartwatch within the following year. Though that figure may seem rather small, it may be more important than it appears, as the firm pointed out that early studies with regards to the intent to purchase an iPhone – back when that device had only just hit the market – were very similar. Back then, 3.6 percent of Australian survey respondents said that they were considering buying one within the first four months of its entry to the market.

What has yet to be seen is whether the trends for the smartwatch will continue to parallel those of the smartphone.

Smatwatch ownership predicted to climb in AustraliaIt is currently estimated that there are nearly 13 million iPhone owners in Australia. That type of future for wearable technology within the country is clearly nothing to sniff at. Furthermore, when respondents were asked about whether they would prefer to purchase an Apple Watch or if they would rather invest in the wearables from another brand, the figures showed that a similar percentage want the Apple product in wearable technology as was the case with smartphones.

Among those who are interested in the devices, a comparable percentage would prefer an Apple Watch to that of other brands as was the case when an iPhone was the choice over other smartphones within the first four months of its release.

What is interesting is that even the age profile of those who are interested in the smartwatch is similar to the figures from 2008 when the iPhone was new.

Chronos Wearables claims it can make a smartwatch out of any wristwatch

| June 16, 2015

This is because the product has been designed to retrofit existing pieces into wearable technology.

According to Chronos Wearables, its hardware can be used in order to create a smartwatch by retrofitting existing wristwatches, as the company claims that “the best wearable is the one you already wear.”

This device would allow both digital and traditional mechanical watches to be converted into wearable technology.

The hardware was developed by an American startup. Earlier in June, it drew a lot of attention when it demoed a technique that is called “microsuction” in order to adhere a slim disk to the back of a traditional wristwatch in order to convert it into a smartwatch. That demonstration was made at the Highway 1 accelerator’s demo day. This allows the device – and, therefore, the wristwatch attached to it – to sync with the wearer’s smartphone so that notifications can be delivered to the wearer by way of lights that appear at the edge of the wristwatch, as well as vibrations that the wearer can feel.

The conversion provides a few of the features of a smartwatch that are often seen in smart jewelry offerings.

Smartwatch Ideas - Image of normal wristwatchAccording to Chronos Wearables founder, Mark Nichol, “It’s a super thin disk that uses microsuction to attach to the back of your watch,” adding that “It delivers notifications from your phone, as well as tracking your health.” This indicates that it does have additional features that go above and beyond the current type of pendant wearable technology and is somewhat of an experience that is halfway between that and the latest smatwatches.

Nichol explained that the demonstration at Highway 1 “was our soft launch. We’ll be doing a pre-sale later this summer where we’ll be announcing exciting partnerships with some hot watch brands.” He said that 80 percent of the wristwatches that are currently on the market are compatible with the Chronos Wearables device. That said, the company is also hoping to be able to build its tech right onto wristwatch backs once it establishes some partnerships with watchmakers.

Until now, the interest in the smartwatch from consumers has been limited, even when the Apple Watch – the device that was supposed to propel this wearable technology category forward – was taken into consideration.